James Ainscough OBE takes over as Chair of forum which brings together cross-sector leaders to champion culture’s contribution to the capital and wider UK
The head of one of the world’s most iconic venues has today taken the helm of BusinessLDN’s Culture Council, which brings together leading private sector employers and cultural institutions from across the capital.
London’s leading business campaign group BusinessLDN has launched the Culture Council to promote the role that the sector plays in the capital’s economic success, including through attracting visitors and global talent to the UK and enhancing the lives of Londoners. The sector generates £51.7bn for the economy each year and accounts for one in five jobs in the capital.
The Council counts many of the world’s top galleries, museums and venues among its members, as well as leading firms in the built environment, transport, education, and consultancy sectors. Members include the Barbican, National Gallery, Science Museum, Landsec, Heathrow, University College London and PwC.
Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, said: “Our cultural and creative industries are one of the UK’s biggest export success stories and help to attract visitors from around the world. The cultural scene in the capital plays a huge role in bolstering our appeal as a place where talented people want to live, work, invest and have fun. We’re excited to have James at the helm of our Culture Council as it continues its vital work in highlighting the critical role that our world-leading institutions play in London’s economic success.”
James Ainscough OBE, Chief Executive at the Royal Albert Hall, said: “I’m thrilled to be taking up this new role working with leaders from across London to champion culture as a cornerstone of economic success. The Culture Council plays a vital role in strengthening partnerships between businesses and cultural institutions, helping to bolster the capital’s reputation as a world-leader in both fields. In the quest for growth, government at all levels must recognise that culture helps communities to thrive in many ways, from driving direct investment and job creation, to creating social capital and great places to live.”
The work of the council comes at a time when many cultural institutions are facing significant headwinds, including funding cuts, rising costs and activist campaigning against some forms of corporate sponsorship.
Creative industries are one of eight high-growth sectors that are a focus for the Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy. Across the UK, the sector contributed £145.8 billion in gross value added in 2024, growing at four times the rate of the wider economy between 2023 and 2024, and broadly equivalent to the automotive, life sciences and oil and gas industries combined.
To support the sector, BusinessLDN is calling for the proceeds of any new overnight levy for London to be used to support growth and attract tourists to the city and for the return of VAT-free shopping on goods for international visitors.
This move would more than pay for itself, according to independent economic analysis, and put the UK on a level playing field with European rivals, which all offer VAT-free shopping.
Ensuring that the next iteration of the capital’s spatial strategy, the London Plan, helps creative industries to thrive is another priority for the Culture Council. More detailed recommendations to support the sector will be announced as part of BusinessLDN’s Growth Commission next month.